Connect with us

Published

on

Fact-checkers have written to Liz Truss to urge her to publicly correct statements she has made about the energy price cap.

Speaking to local radio stations on Thursday, the prime minister said a number of times that people would not face bills of “more than” or a “maximum” of £2,500.

Yet the energy price cap limits the price per unit of energy, and the £2,500 limit is the average bill cost. People are charged for how much they use.

Government figures say a typical detached house will pay £3,330, a semi will pay £2,650 and a purpose-built flat £1,750.

Full Fact, a fact-checking charity, said it wrote to Ms Truss on Wednesday to stress “it is vital the public have accurate information about energy bills in the context of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis”.

40% of mortgage deals now pulled – politics latest

Public correction

Will Moy, its chief executive, said: “We wrote to the prime minister about getting this wrong only yesterday. The government’s energy plans will affect every household in Britain this winter.

“And yet Liz Truss has repeatedly misled listeners this morning.

“She must now publicly correct her mistake to make sure people are not misled about their energy prices and hit with unexpected and unaffordable energy bills this winter.”

Read more
PM on economic turmoil: ‘People were facing £6k bills – we had to act’
Top energy and money-saving tips

Although Ms Truss initially described the figure as being for a “typical” bill during an interview with BBC Radio Nottingham, she went on to say: “The biggest part of the package we announced is the support on energy bills, making sure that people across this country are not facing energy bills of more than £2,500 and that businesses can get through this winter.”

During the next interview, she stated: “We have taken action by the government stepping in and making sure that nobody is paying fuel bills of more than £2,500.”

Vulnerable elderly at risk

She repeated the claim on BBC Radio Leeds, saying: “The action we’ve taken on energy bills will mean that Leeds and other people in West Yorkshire aren’t going to be facing energy bills of £6,000 which is what was forecast, they’re going to be, through the energy price guarantee, the maximum will be £2,500.”

In a tweet on Thursday, MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis wrote: “The reason it is so important not to communicate that there is a £2,500 cap [is] it risks some people, possibly vulnerable elderly people, thinking they can keep the heat on max all winter, and they won’t pay more than a certain amount.”

Sky News Online has contacted Downing Street for a comment on, or clarification over, the prime minister’s interviews.

Continue Reading

UK

Constance Marten and partner guilty of concealing birth of child and perverting course of justice

Published

on

By

Constance Marten and partner guilty of concealing birth of child and perverting course of justice

Constance Marten and her partner Mark Gordon have been found guilty at the Old Bailey of concealing the birth of a child and perverting the course of justice, it can now be reported.

There will be a retrial on other charges they were facing, which is likely to be held in March next year.

Marten, 37, who is from a wealthy family, and Gordon, 50, were charged following the death of their newborn baby daughter Victoria.

A nationwide search for Marten and Gordon was launched after a placenta was found in the couple’s burnt-out car on a motorway in Bolton, Greater Manchester, in January 2023.

The couple were arrested in Brighton last February, with the child’s body found days later.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow @SkyNews on X or subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

Continue Reading

UK

Maldwyn Evans: Family ‘distraught’ after death of four-year-old boy

Published

on

By

Maldwyn Evans: Family 'distraught' after death of four-year-old boy

A family has been left “incredibly distraught” after the death of a four-year-old boy in his garden in Ceredigion in west Wales.

Maldwyn “Gwern” Evans died at his home in Tynreithin, Tregaron, on 20 June.

His family described him as a “keen little farmer” who would be remembered for his “captivating personality”.

“As a family, we are incredibly distraught by our tragic loss, and he will be greatly missed by us and the entire community,” they said in a statement issued through Dyfed-Powys Police.

“He was a loving son and a caring brother, who touched the hearts of so many.

“He lived his short life to the fullest and will be remembered for his captivating personality.

“He was an extremely keen little farmer who had knowledge and ability beyond his years.”

They added: “We would like to thank everyone for their support and kindness at this horrific time.

“It has meant so much to the whole family.”

Read more from Sky News:
Airport chaos branded a ‘shambles’
Arrest in Westminster honeytrap probe
A week on the country’s night buses

Follow Sky News on WhatsApp
Follow Sky News on WhatsApp

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Tap here

Dyfed-Powys Police said in a previous statement: “The death is not being treated as suspicious and HM Coroner has been informed.

“Our thoughts are with the family who are receiving support and they have asked for privacy during this difficult time.”

Continue Reading

UK

Jay Slater: Spanish police release new footage of search for missing teen

Published

on

By

Jay Slater: Spanish police release new footage of search for missing teen

Newly released footage shows the search for missing British teenager Jay Slater continues by both land and air.

The search for the 19-year-old from Lancashire, who is missing in Tenerife, has now entered its tenth day.

He has been missing since Monday 17 June.

The friends he was holidaying with last heard from him at around 8.30am that day.

He told them he planned to walk back to his accommodation after missing a bus – a journey of around 11 hours by foot.

The search currently centres on Masca, a mountainous area on the western tip of the island.

The village, which is home to around 90 inhabitants, lies at an altitude of 650m, and is where Mr Slater is believed to have been when he was last heard from.

Pic: Guardia Civil/X
Image:
Pic: Guardia Civil/X

Pic: Guardia Civil/X
Image:
Pic: Guardia Civil/X

Search continues

The footage from Spanish police comes after Mr Slater’s father said the family were being kept in the dark by some officers.

It shows a helicopter searching the mountainous area, with search teams on foot having been joined by sniffer dogs.

They then enter a wooded area and proceed to search the mountainous region.

In one clip, an officer uses binoculars to try and see if there are any signs of the missing teen.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Jay Slater’s dad has said police have left him and his family in the dark over the hunt for the missing teen.

The 35-second montage of clips was posted on the X social media platform on the Guardia Civil account.

“We continue with the search for the young British man missing in Tenerife,” police said in the post on Tuesday night.

“Different Guardia Civil units from the area participate, joined by agents, with their dogs specialised in searching for people, from Madrid.”

Follow Sky News on WhatsApp
Follow Sky News on WhatsApp

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Tap here

But The Times reports that the dogs have not been given a piece of Mr Slater’s clothing for them to pick up a scent.

Cadaver dogs have been trained to pick up the scent of human remains without the need for a specific prompt.

Read more:
Hiker rescued by police searching for Jay Slater
Online sleuths wade into hunt

Mayor Emilio Jose Navarro told the Reuters news agency that some locals have been interviewed by police.

That includes some who claim they saw Mr Slater watching Euro matches on the coast.

Continue Reading

Trending